Bay County Chamber of Commerce

235 West 5th Street

Panama City, FL 32401

Phone: 850.785.5206

Fax: 850.763.6229

Month:Year:

2015 Shimmy Mob for Salvation Army

01/07/2015 to 04/03/2015

Have you ever wanted to learn to belly dance?

Registration is now open for the 2015 Shimmy Mob! Join the Twisting Sisters Belly Dancers and the Panama City Beach team to unite with hundreds of other dancers around the world as they raise awareness for women’s and children’s shelters.

Locally, the May 9 flash mob-style event benefits the Salvation Army. Even if you aren’t a dancer, help with this rewarding effort to earn an official Shimmy Mob T-shirt plus meet a group of great ladies.

United Way is again sponsoring FREE tax preparation assistance through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) at the A.D. Harris Learning Village beginning January 21st.

CLICK on the attachment for details.

Location: A.D. Harris Learning Village, 11th Street

Contact Number: Provided by United Way

Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs Competition to Award more than $450,

02/01/2015 to 03/16/2015

Comcast Business announced that for the second consecutive year the company will seek out the nation’s most innovative startup companies and entrepreneurs to compete in the Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs competition.

Contest applicants must submit a 250-word essay explaining how they would use $30,000 in technology investment to enhance their business.

Startups and entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit business.comcast.com/i4E to submit their application and essay and review the full program details.

Entries are due by March 15, 2015. Regional winners will be notified beginning the week of April 8, 2015.

CLICK on attachment for detailed press release.

Location: business.comcast.com/i4E

Contact Number: 215-286-4675

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

02/02/2015 to 12/31/2015

BAY COUNTY FARMERS MARKET (Call for times)

Located at Hwy 98 (15th St) and Sherman Ave at the Central Panhandle/Bay County Fairgrounds 850-769-2645

ST. ANDREWS WATERFRONT FARMERS MARKET (Saturdays 8am - 1pm)

Located at the Smith Yacht Basin on Beck Avenue (beside the Shrimp Boat Restaurant) 850-872-7208

AARP is offering FREE tax preparation and assistance through its volunteers at the Central Panhandle/Bay County Fairgrounds (2230 East Hwy 98) and at the Panama City Beach Library, 12500 Hutchinson Blvd (Middle Beach Rd).

PCB Chamber of Commerce and Emerald Coast Hospice present the annual Women's Work-Life Symposium on Friday, May 29, at FSU-PC Holley Academic Center. Click on the attachment for the EARLY REGISTRATION FORM and EARLY PRICE of $79/person. After March 31st, price goes up to $109. Call for more information.

Location: FSU-PC Holley Academic Ctr, Collegiate Dri, PC

Contact Number: 850-235-1159

16th Annual Death by Chocolate

03/03/2015

05:00 pm - 08:00 pm

Emerald Coast Business Women's Association is again sponsoring the 16th Annual Death by Chocolate event at the Marina Civic Center on Tuesday, March 3rd, from 5-8pm.

A night of delectable desserts from the Emerald Coast's finest restaurants and a silent auction will take place along with a raffle for a custom designed, exquisite, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry courtesy of Creative Gems.

The Panama City Downtown Improvement Board again presents FRIDAY FEST, the street festival on the first Friday evening of each month beginning around 5:30pm and continuing until 10:00pm in downtown Panama City.

Bring your friends and families (dogs must be socialized and on leashes) and party with thousands on Harrison Avenue. Food and beverage vendors, live music, vendors with products of all shapes and sizes will be lining the streets along with children-friendly games, bouncehouses and challenges.

The Junior League of Panama City is hosting the 5th Annual murder mystery show, MYSTIQUE, at the Holley Academic Center on the FSU Panama City campus on Saturday, March 7 beginning at 6:00pm. This year's theme is Funeral for a Gangster.

Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar will be available. Silent auction items will be presented while characters from the show circulate and lay the ground work for what will unfold on stage. The play begins at 7:00pm and will be followed by a fun, interactive clue-hunt that commences with a closing solution scene. Live entertainment will follow the play.

Buy your tickets now through February 27th: $30 for one ticket or $50 for two tickets (date night special price) - contact JLPC@panamacity.org

or purchase tickets at the door for $30 each.

Location: Holley Academic Center, FSU-PC, Collegiate Ave, PC

Contact Number: See above

Daylight Savings Time Begins

03/07/2015

Before you go to bed Saturday night, set your clock FORWARD ONE HOUR for the change to Daylight Savings time (actually around 2am Sunday morning).

Location: See above

Contact Number: See above

Girl Scout Run - 5K & 1 Mile Walk/Fun Run

03/07/2015

The Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle will host a 5K and One Mile Run/Walk on Saturday, March 7, taking place along the picturesque St. Andrews route at 8:00am.

Runners will check in at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1001 West 11th Street, Panama city, at 6:30am.

Visit the web site (above click on registration form) for more information.

Location: St. Andrews community of Panama City

Contact Number: See above

Dog Fest Walk 'n Roll

03/07/2015

10:00 am - 03:00 pm

Dog Fest Walk 'n Roll on Saturday, March 7, sponsored by Canine Companions for Independence is a family-friendly, dog-friendly and completely accessible dog walk and festival. Join the fun as we raise money to provide highly-trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities free of charge. Benefitting Wounded Veteran Initiative.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio has rescheduled this event and it is now taking place at the Martin Theatre. The event benefits Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

Dancing for Life has been rescheduled for March 8 @ 4pm at the Martin Theater. $25 Gen Admission and $45 VIP.

VIP tickets include the after party at G'Foley's and a meet & greet with Dancing with the Stars Tristan MacManus. For tickets or more information please call 850-873-6269.

Location: Martin Theater, Harrison Ave, Panama City

Contact Number: See above

Beekeeping Classes @ Extension Office

03/09/2015 to 03/23/2015

The UF/IFAS Extension Panhandle Agriculture Team will offer
a series of beekeeping classes in March via interactive video at Extension
Offices across the Panhandle.

Classes will be taught by Dr. Jamie Ellis and other state
and nationally recognized experts from the University of Florida Honey Bee
Research and Extension Lab and the Florida Department of Agriculture &
Consumer Services Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection.

In Bay County, the classes will
be held at the Cooperative Extension Office at 2728 E. 14th St., Panama City, and will be Monday evenings from 6 to 8 pm with a Saturday morning bee-yard field day from 9 a.m. to noon. Each presentation will be followed by an interactive question & answer period.

The Division of Visual and
Performing Arts at Gulf Coast State College & Bay Arts Alliance announce
auditions for the world premiere of MIRACLE OF THE WHITE LEAVES: THE
MUSICAL on March 9 & 10at 6:30 p.m. in the Amelia
Center Theatre at Gulf Coast State College.

Actors (14 and older) should prepare a 90 second
comedic monologue and 16 bars of an up-tempo song. Bring sheet music or an
accompaniment track. Actors should also prepare for a brief physical
improvisation. Non-students and actors from the community are encouraged to
audition.

Rehearsals begin March 11 and will be held Monday-Thursday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at GCSC. No rehearsals March 16-March 20.

Two performances (a morning matinee for 2000 third graders and an evening performance) will be held April 30, 2015 at The Marina Civic Center.

Th3 American Red Cross and the Central Panhandle/Bay County Fairgrounds presents the 11th Annual Gulf Coast Home and Garden Expo March 13 - 15.

Exhibitors will offer a wide variety of goods and services for your home and garden. A great day for the family with special discounts on goods and services, free informative seminars and fun for the kids.

25th annual Florida State University Panama City Golf Invitational, presented tournament sponsors AT&T and Centennial Bank, will be Friday, March 13, 2015, at Hombre Golf Club in Panama City Beach.

Morning and afternoon rounds are available. The event also will include the Second Annual FSU Panama City Golf Ball Drop, sponsored by Tyndall Federal Credit Union. Between tournament rounds, numbered golf balls will be dropped on a green with 10 holes, representing 10 prize packages. The first ball to go in each hole will win the coordinating prize. Golf balls will be sold until the tournament for $10 each.

All proceeds will benefit the FSU Panama City Campus Enrichment Fund, which is used to support students and the priorities of the campus.

For more information, visit http://fla.st/16q9Z8R or contact Shannon Sheibe at 770-2152 or ssheibe@pc.fsu.edu.

Make plans to attend the 11th Annual Gulf Coast Home and Garden Expo and support your local American Red Cross. Find new and creative ways to stretch your home improvement dollars and see the latest trends in home improvement.

Exhibitors will offer a wide variety of goods and services for your home and garden. A great day for the family with special discounts on goods and services, free informative seminars, and fun for the kids. B

ooth fees for the three day expo begin at $395. Contact Rusty Russell at 850-630-2946 or JRusty107@aol.com or Kelly Jo Bailey, e-mail: kellyjo.bailey@redcross.org

Location: Bat County Fairgrounds

Contact Number: 850.763.6587

THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB at Kaleidoscope

03/13/2015 to 03/30/2015

07:30 pm - 09:30 pm

Kaleidoscope Theatre in Lynn Haven will present The Dixie Swim Club by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, a hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever.

Opening Friday, March 13th, 2015 for three weekends, this story of five Southern women whose relationship began many years ago on their college swim team will delight all audiences. The production is directed by Sandy Wilson, assisted by Elizabeth Pate, and features Lois Carter, Marie Cox, Susan Creamer, Linda Hawk and Rita Jones as the women who prove the enduring power of "teamwork".

Showtimes are 7:30pm on Friday and Saturdays, and 2:00pm on Sundays through March 29th, 2015. Adults: $16, Sen/Mil: $15, Student: $8; door prices $1.00 higher. For seat reservations call 850-265-3226, tickets are also available at the door.

For more information visit www.kt-online.org on the theatre's Facebook Page.

Location: Kaleidoscope Theatre, 207 E. 24th St., Lynn Haven, FL 32444

Contact Number: 850-265-3226

St. Patrick's Day in St. Andrews

03/14/2015

Join us in historic St. Andrews for the Sidewalk March and Block party on Saturday, March 14, at 4:00pm.

The march starts at Oaks by the Bay Park (in the parking lot) and ends at Bayview Ave at Villa Gateway Park. Also featured during this event are The Niall O'Leary School of Irish Dance and Panama City Pipes and Drums.

The Bay County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public meeting/workshop to discuss the Bay County Retail Water and Wastewater System at 6:00 p.m. March 17 in the Commission Chambers of the Bay County Government Center, located at 840 W. 11th St., Panama City.

For more information, please call Valerie Sale at 248-8170.

Location: Bay County Govt Ctr, 840 West 11th St., PC

Contact Number: 850-248-8170

Bay County Chamber Block Party/Bed Races

03/19/2015

Would you like to participate in the VERY FIRST EVER Bay County Chamber of Commerce Bed Races on West 5th Street in downtown Panama City?

During the annual Chamber Block Party, sponsored teams will participate in a bed race (yes, like the one you sleep in) on West 5th Street

CLICK on the attachment for details and the sponsorship form.

Come out and join us at 5:00 on Thursday, March 19, at the Chamber Block Party and cheer your favorite bed to the finish line

Bay County will host a free Easter Egg Hunt from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at H.G. Harder’s Park. Two egg hunting areas will be cordoned off, one for children 5 to 9 years old and a separate toddler section.

The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance at 1 p.m. to
pose for photographs, so parents should be certain to pack a camera. Egg
hunting begins at 1:30 p.m., with prizes for the child who finds a golden egg
in each age group.

The Bay County Pet Adoption Trolley will be on site with
animals available for petting and adoption. Refreshments will be available for
purchase.

To volunteer at the event or for more information, please call Janie Lucas at 784-4065.

Location: 8110 John Pitts Rd (off Star Ave up Hwy 231)

Contact Number: 850-784-4065

The Panama City Passion Play

04/02/2015 to 04/03/2015

07:00 pm - 09:30 pm

The Panama City Passion Play is returning to the beautiful downtown Marina Civic Center for its 12th season for three performances, Thursday April 2 and Friday April 3 at 7 p.m. and a matinee at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Featuring a full orchestra, choir, cast and crew of over 200, it has been enjoyed and embraced by young and old alike in Panama City and the surrounding communities. The production creatively & authentically shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a theatrical setting and brings new elements of sets, story line, music, and theatrical effects each year.

Please bring at least least 1 canned food item to help benefit the Center of Hope, a non-profit organization in the heart of St Andrews that provides food and clothing to those in need here in our own community.

Location: Marina Civic Center, 8 Harrison Ave. Panama City FL

Contact Number: 850-785-8596

2015 Arts Alive

04/04/2015

06:00 pm - 08:00 pm

The Bay Education Foundation is proud to sponsor its fifth Arts Alive event on April 4, 2015, at Edgewater Beach Resort and Conference Center. Arts Alive is a major fundraising event for the Bay Education Foundation. The proceeds from this event yield funding for Take Stock in Children scholarships and for visual and performing art grants. In four short years Arts Alive has become one of the most anticipated charity events in our community. The evening features a reception/silent auction, a gallery of student art, a three-course meal, and a fabulous variety show. The variety show consists of fifteen acts, selected via audition, representing the best singers, dancers, and musicians that Bay District Schools has to offer.

Location: Edgewater Beach Resort

Contact Number: 850-767-4111

Healthy Start's World's Greatest Baby Shower

04/09/2015

04:00 pm - 07:00 pm

If you are pregnant or have had a baby within the last six months, you and your family members are welcome to attend Healthy Start's World's Greatest Come-n-Go Baby Shower on Thursday, April 9, 2015 from 4-7pm at First United Methodist Church, 903 East 4th Street in Panama City.

Click on the attachment for details on sponsorships and the application for sponsorship. This event is popular - last year there were over 40 vendors and over 500 attendees.

Call for more information.

Location: First United Methodist Church, 903 East 4th St, PC

Contact Number: 850-872-4130

18th Annual Blessing of the Fleet

04/11/2015

Second Chance of NW FL sponsors the annual Blessing of the Fleet, a community fundraising event for this organization that provides services to brain injury survivors in the community.

This year the event is at 10:00am at the St. Andrews Marina on Saturday, April 11th. Our local internationally-known artist, Paul Brent, will again donate a print to be used for the commemorative poster and advertising spots on the poster are available. CLICK on the attachment for the form to request your spot.

For more information please all.

Location: St. Andrews Marina, end of Beck Ave, PC

Contact Number: 850-769-7779

2014 Gulf Coast Salute Air Show @ TAFB

04/11/2015 to 04/12/2015

Tyndall Air Force Base invites you to the Gulf Coast Salute Open House Air Show on April 11 and 12 at the base; gates open at 9:00am.

The Junior League of Panama City is hosting their 6th Annual 5K Rabbit Race and Half Mile Bunny Hop on Saturday, April 11, with registration beginning from 6:00-7:45am. The 5K will start at 8:00am and following that finish and awards presentation, the Bunny Hop at 9:00am.

Run Like A Legend and join us for our second annual Coach Post 5K 10K & 1 mile Fun Run - a family friendly road race at St. Andrews State Park!

Our flat and fast course is surrounded by sugary white beaches and the emerald waters of the Gulf. Walkers and runners of all levels are welcome on this USATF certified course. All participants will receive a high quality Coach Post Run T-shirt.

An after race party with hot catered food will follow the race along with the awards ceremony and prize drawings.

Event Schedule

* 6am Central Time the Park opens early for the race – all race participants get FREE entrance into St. Andrews State Park for the entire day!

* 6am - 7am Onsite Registration begins

* 8am Race begins

* 9am – 12noon Post Race Party - Family friendly activities including bouncy house and face painting, live entertainment and refreshments are provided

More information to follow about the Wounded Warrior Beach Retreat April 14-21; gather your friends and come stand on the Hathaway Bridge to welcome our wounded service men and women to our area and thank them for their service.

2ND Annual Second Chance Glow Fun Run 5KRun/Walk event, benefiting non-profit, Second Chance of Northwest Florida, is one-of-a-kind night time experience that is less about how FAST you run and more about enjoying the glowing course with your friends and family.

Second Chance of Northwest Florida, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation established in 1992 to serve the needs of adults living with traumatic (TBI) or acquired (ABI) brain injuries and their families. Our Mission is to restore hope and dignity and affect positively the quality of life for brain injury survivors and their families, minimizing the effects and enabling each to function at the highest level possible, both in the community and in their personal life.

Register on Active.com at the below link http://www.active.com/panama-city-fl-fl/running/distance-running-races/2nd-annual-5k-glow-run-fun-run-2015

Location: Gayle's Trails/Frank Brown Park, 16200 PCB Pkwy

Contact Number: 769-7779 Sherl Morden

2015 Seabreeze Jazz Festival

04/22/2015 to 04/26/2015

The 2015 Seabreeze Jazz Festival returns to Panama City Beach on April 22-26 with live performances at the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater in Pier Park. The line-up features legends and newcomers this year.

Ride to Remember participants will register at the GCSC Military Park from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Saturday, 16 May with a $15 donation.

Military scholarships, Veteran Book Borrow Program and educational supplies are funded with donations to the Military Park. The 45-minute ceremony begins at 10:00 AM, and then kick stands up at 10:45 AM for the beach ride. The cookout and concert will follow at Harley-Davidson from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, with a special military ceremony taking place at 1:00 PM.

For more information, contact Mark Rix at (850) 769-1551 x3341.

Location: GULF COAST STATE COLLEGE MILITARY PARK

Contact Number: 850-769-1551 EXTENSION 3341

Bay Co. Great Cardboard Boat Regatta

09/26/2015

The haddai Shriners of Bay County's 2nd annual Great Cardboard Boat Regatta will be held on Saturday, September 26, in Porter Park in Lynn Haven. Enter your cardboard vessel and have the time of your life.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, uniting nearly 300 communities to finish the fight. Every breast cancer walk and event is an incredible and inspiring opportunity to honor those who have battled breast cancer, raise awareness about what we can do to reduce our breast cancer risk, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease with research, information and services, and access to mammograms for women who need them.

Call for more information.

Location: Aaron Bessant Park, Pier Park, PCB Parkway, PCB

Contact Number: 850-785-9205 x3509

The mission of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce is to create superior value for all chamber members large and small, cultivate economic and personal development, promote and protect a competitive system of business, be a community leader while embracing Bay County’s opportunities and challenges.